How marshmallows help you conquer your fear

Are you afraid of anything? Spiders, heights, or maybe even public speaking? Well, what if I told you that you could unlearn that fear?

According to a recent article in Psychology Today, fear is not a fixed emotion. We can learn to unlearn it, just like we learn to fear something in the first place. The process is called "extinction learning", and it involves retraining our brains to no longer associate fear with a certain object or situation.

Now, before you go running to face your biggest fear head-on, let me tell you about some of the interesting techniques researchers have used to help people unlearn fear.

In one study, participants were asked to eat a marshmallow while listening to a tone that was previously associated with a negative image. At first, the tone caused fear in the participants, but after repeated exposure while eating the marshmallow, the tone lost its negative association. So, the next time they heard the tone, they didn't feel fear anymore. Who knew marshmallows could be so powerful? 

Another technique used in unlearning fear is called "exposure therapy", where a person gradually exposes themselves to their fear in a safe environment. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Exposing myself to my fears? No thank you, I'd rather just stay in my cozy little bubble of terror." But trust me, it's worth it. Plus, think of all the cool stories you'll have to tell at parties!

Let's say you're afraid of spiders. 

Instead of running away screaming every time you see one, you could start by just looking at pictures of spiders. Then, you could move on to watching videos of spiders or using a VR headset (yes it works). And eventually, you could even hold a spider in your hand (gasp!). Sure, it might be scary at first, but with time and practice, you'll start to feel more comfortable and less fearful. And who knows, you might even become a spider enthusiast! (Okay, probably not. But one can dream, right?) Just don't blame me if you end up eating marshmallows while wearing a VR headset to conquer your fears!

Another way to unlearn fear is by "practicing mindfulness". By learning to stay present in the moment and focus on your breathing, you can train your brain to be less reactive to stressful situations.

So, the next time you're feeling anxious or afraid, try taking a few deep breaths and reminding yourself that you're capable of handling whatever comes your way. And if all else fails, just remember you can always scream into a pillow or watch cute animal videos on YouTube.

You've got this!

Afsheen